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Author: Martin Driver

Sefton Council celebrates its social care workforce this Social Work Week

14 March 2022
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

A group of people stand outside the front entrance of Magdalen HouseThis week is Social Work Week (14th-18th March) and Sefton Council is shining a spotlight on its Children’s and Adult Social Care workforce; from Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Social Care Practitioners to Business Support Officers, Family Support Workers and everyone in-between who helps to make a difference and support both services to run effectively.

The week, organised by Social Work England, coincides with World Social Work Day which recognises the hard work and dedication of social workers on an international stage. The theme for the day is ‘Co-building a New Eco-Social World: Leaving No One Behind’ and the theme for the week is ’Social Work and Me’.

Sefton Council will be hosting several events across the week and is encouraging staff to attend as many as possible. Highlights include an inspirational talk from brothers Andy and Matt Smith (Smash Life), a celebratory cinema night at local community cinema, The Plaza and various health and wellbeing drop-in sessions that will explain more about the Council’s offer to employees.

As well as the events, the Council is encouraging teams to take some time for themselves and step away from the desk, allowing time to reflect. Activities being promoted include taking part in a team beach litter pick, enjoying a team breakfast whilst reflecting on the challenges and achievements throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and taking the time to find out about local community groups and initiatives teams could get involved with.

Cllr. Mhairi Doyle, M.B.E., Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said:

“Social Work Week and World Social Work Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate and shine a spotlight not only our Social Workers, but on every single person who plays a part in making a difference to our communities right across the Borough.

“Social work can be an extremely tough job, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. I hope by taking the time to reflect on their amazing achievements, our teams can see the amazing work they do day in, day out.”

Cllr. Paul Cummins, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said:

“I’d like to wish everyone a great week of celebrations and reflection. I know how hard both our adult and children’s teams work every day for the benefit of our communities, so I hope everyone can find the time to take a moment to reflect on that hard work.

“It has been an incredibly challenging couple of years for our workforce and this week is all about celebrating our people and their dedication to their roles and Sefton.”

Sefton Council currently has a range of exciting opportunities within its adult and children’s social care services. To find out more about our adult social care opportunities, please visit: https://ats-sefton.jgp.co.uk/vacancies?ga_client_id=b69e7212-766a-46c6-ab54-991244d24d0c. To find out more about our children’s social care opportunities, please visit: https://ats-sefton.jgp.co.uk/vacancies?ga_client_id=b69e7212-766a-46c6-ab54-991244d24d0c&occupational_areas=Children%27s+Social+Care.

Place Director confirmed for Sefton Partnership

9 March 2022
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News
Deborah Butcher
Place Director, Deborah Butcher

Following a thorough recruitment process, Sefton Partnership is pleased to announce the appointment of its first Place Director, Deborah Butcher.

Working closely with local partners, Deborah will play a central role in the future integration of health and care in Sefton, taking a lead on tackling the health inequalities within our communities. Deborah’s new role is a joint appointment between the NHS and Sefton Council.

Ambitious vision

Deborah said: “I feel very privileged to be able to continue the journey we have begun in Sefton together with partners across health, voluntary, community and faith sector, primary care and the council. It means continuity for us in further developing the ambitious vision we have for Sefton. We have strong partnerships in our Sefton place and I am looking forward to working with colleagues developing our future arrangements for integration in Sefton to improve health and care outcomes.”

Currently the executive director of adult social care and health for Sefton Council, Deborah brings a wealth of experience to her new role gained from working in a number of previous senior positions in local government in Plymouth and Cumbria. She is responsible for leadership across social work, occupational therapy, professional standards, safeguarding adults and integrated commissioning and she has worked closely with health partners on joint work throughout her time in the borough.

Deborah has been the senior responsible officer for developing our local place based partnership over the past year working closely with colleagues across Sefton’s two clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and supported by a talented team from across the Council and CCGs. Sefton Partnership brings the council and the CCGs together with organisations from across health and social care in the borough including NHS providers, Sefton CVS, voluntary, community and faith groups and Healthwatch Sefton.

Unique opportunity

Cllr Ian Maher, leader of Sefton Council, said: “Deborah’s appointment as place director for Sefton provides a unique opportunity for the local authority, the NHS and other key partners to work together, as she will retain her responsibility for Adult Social Care for Sefton Council. This is a critical role in developing the strategic approach to improving services to our most vulnerable and those in need. Through the great work that she has done so far, demonstrated by the outcomes and impact we’ve seen already, Deborah has proven she understands the partnership and what is needed to further improve the delivery of care through integration in Sefton.”

Strong progress

Fiona Taylor, chief officer of both CCGs in Sefton, said: “Deborah’s appointment is great news and reflects the strong progress we have already made in Sefton to better join up health and care across organisation in the borough for the benefit of all our residents.

“The next few months will be exciting as we move towards the new structures that build on our existing plans and achievements – our joint health and wellbeing strategy and our local NHS plan for health, Sefton2gether. Coupled with the legacy of the CCGs, we have firm foundations to build upon and Deborah’s continued leadership will ensure we keep on making the progress our residents deserve.”

Deborah is one of nine place directors who have been appointed across Cheshire and Merseyside and who will take up their posts on 1 July 2022, when NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB) is established. In the meantime, Deborah will become involved with the ICB from early April so she can contribute to the further design of the integration agenda.

This was a robust, inclusive process and the selection panel for each post included the ICB designate chief executive, a non-executive director, a place-specific elected member or members, the relevant local authority chief executive, and representatives of both primary care and NHS providers.

Excellent team

Graham Urwin, designate chief executive of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, said: “I am really excited we have put together an excellent team of people to carry out the pivotal role of place director throughout our Integrated Care System. They all have relevant experience and skills, and comprise a complementary team who will work together and alongside NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB and the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership.

“As well as delivering on effective integration, they will also address the very real health inequalities our communities experience – a primary objective of the ICB and all our partners.

“I would like to personally congratulate all the successful candidates and wish them every success.”

Find more information about the work to develop the Integrated Commissioning Board and Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. 

Be the change during LGBT+ Adoption and Fostering Week

7 March 2022
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

A couple hold a baby in their armsAs we head into LGBT+ Adoption and Fostering week (7th-13th March) Adoption in Merseyside (AiM) are encouraging people from all walks of life to think about starting their adoption journey.

AiM are the regional adoption agency for Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton and Wirral and are keen to recruit a wide range of adopters. While the total number of adoptions fell in England in 2021, the proportion of adoptions to same-sex couples in England remained static. We want to encourage those to think about the adopting to request an information pack and explore their options.

AiM welcome people to apply if they are single, renting accommodation or already have children. If you can offer the space in your heart and your home, the chances are you could adopt.

Andy and Craig always knew they wanted to be parents and adoption was always their first option as they had a loving and safe home to offer a child.

“We always wanted a family and decided to start the process to adopt. The process was quite hard for us, it was very intrusive and in depth, but we understand why this must be done. It was an emotional process as it delved into our past and the reasons why certain situations happened and how we dealt with that. The training was also self-reflective and made us think about how we would parent our own child.

“Even though the process is hard work, when we eventually got to meet our little girl, it made it all real and worth it. We finally feel like a family and I just can’t wait to see how she develops and grows.

“Our adoption journey from initial enquiry to welcoming our little girl took around 12 months, we know the hard work isn’t over but we know support will always be there from Adoption in Merseyside.”

Check out their website for more information on the adoption process or request an information pack www.adoptioninmerseyside.co.uk.

For more information about Fostering with Sefton please visit www.seftonfostering.co.uk or call free on 0800 923 2777.

Sefton Council to seek progress update on Crosby’s former Carnegie Library refurbishment

7 March 2022
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council, Uncategorized

Committed to the restoration of the historic former Carnegie Library in Crosby, Sefton Council is asking the project contractors for an update of its plans to be progress the scheme.

Committed

A Sefton Council spokesperson said: “The Council remains wholly committed to doing all it can to support the long-term restoration of the former Carnegie Library building and has demonstrated a commitment to working with the successful third-party bidder for the scheme.

“However, after a period of inactivity on site we are seeking confirmation from said third-party bidder that this project remains deliverable.

“Sefton Council remains eager to bring this much-loved asset back in to use, and to prevent further deterioration of the building itself, we are taking preventative steps to protect its fabric and ensure it is wind and water-tight in the intervening period.”

Grade II listed

Sefton Council previously announced, that a tender process had been carried out with the successful third party having produced a business plan for the building that would include the creation of a flexible business hub for start-up and smaller businesses and a community café. This plan would also facilitate the repair and refurbishment in line with its status as a Grade II listed building.

The Council spokesperson added: “We hope to be able to continue with the current contract, but are actively monitoring progress to determine the most appropriate next steps”

“ This building is valued by the Council and the local community, and therefore we will take the necessary steps to ensure that this building is brought back in to use.”

Council freezing Ainsdale and Southport beach car park season ticket costs for Sefton residents

5 March 2022
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News, Uncategorized

Aindsdale Beach Car ParkSefton Council is continuing the price freeze on season tickets at its Ainsdale and Southport beach car parks for all Sefton residents.

Just £30

This means Sefton residents who are regular visitors to the coast, will pay just £30 for the annual tickets. And, as part of Sefton Council’s drive to combat climate change, the £30 offer is also available to any electric or hybrid car users.

A £2 reduction to the standard day visitor rate will mean parking on Southport beach will cost just £8 per day, while the daily cost at Ainsdale beach will remain at £10. Prices are halved after 4pm subject to available space and the cost for horseboxes or minibuses at both sites is £16 per day.

Beach parking re-opens at Ainsdale on Friday 1st April and at Southport from Tuesday 5th April, because of high tides.

Season tickets are now available to buy online at https://forms.sefton.gov.uk/beachparking

Ainsdale, which has 2,000 spaces and Southport, which has 400, are among just a handful of on beach car parks across the UK. Unsurprisingly they are closed at some high tides and there may be limited in capacity at other times.

Less-polluting

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member Health and Wellbeing said: “I am pleased that we have been able to retain the £30 season ticket cost for Sefton residents and to also offer that price to people with less-polluting electric or hybrid cars.

“Income from our beach car parks will be used to improve facilities for visitors and reduce inconvenience for local residents along our coast, as well as to fund the vital conservation work of the Nature Reserve and preserve the natural beauty of our coastline for generations to come.”

Car parks provide essential funding support and contribute to the provision of Green Sefton services, including the delivery of a Coastal Visitor Action Plan to ensure Sefton’s coastline is safe for residents and visitors.

People queuing for ice creams on Ainsdale BeachAction Plan

The Coastal Visitor Action Plan for 2022 will include seven additional rangers on the ground and the launch of evening patrols along the coast.

Following extensive consultations, two areas of improvements recognised were to car parking and toilet facilities at Ainsdale-On-Sea.

The implementation of a new ‘off beach’ car park at Ainsdale Beach is set to be operational by the end of 2022, subject to final planning approval.

Toilet facilities at Ainsdale-On-Sea will be undergoing refurbishment work in March to prepare them for reopening from 1st April as the beach car park re-opens. The men’s, women’s and disabled people’s toilet facilities will be re-opened.

Beach car parking charges for 2022:

  • £8 per day for cars at Southport beach
  • £10 per day for cars at Ainsdale beach
  • £16 per day for horseboxes or minibuses
  • 50% off the above rates after 4pm subject to car parking management arrangements
  • £30 season ticket for Sefton residents and those who drive an electric or hybrid vehicle
  • £60 season ticket for non-Sefton residents

Find out about Sefton’s Nature Coast and countryside.

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